Structure:

Introduction: (upto 30 words) Write about Sugarcane growth in Karnataka.

Body: (upto 100 words) Lay down the points responsible for low sugarcane production in State  and how to improve Sugar recovery.

Conclusion: (upto 30 words) Conclude with points to increase cane yield.

Supporting Points:

Karnataka is bestowed with favourable agro-climatic conditions duly supplemented with suitable soils for sugarcane cultivation. In India Karnataka stands 3rd in cane production next to Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra States and 2nd with respect to sugar recovery after Maharashtra. Sugarcane is grown in 16 districts of the state. Belgaum, Bagalkot, Bijapur, Mandya, Mysore, Chamrajnagar and Bidar are the major sugarcane producing districts.

The factors responsible for lower cane productivity in the state

1. Adverse effects of various biotic and a biotic stresses on sugarcane crop.
2. Use of imbalance and over/under use of chemical fertilizers. It is more relevant for the application of nitrogen to sugarcane.
3. Un-controlled and faulty irrigation schedules and methods for sugarcane.
4. Deterioration of soil physical characters due to poor drainage/no drainage systems for sugarcane fields.
5. Lesser/no use of organic manures in sugarcane cultivation including green manuring.
6. Less or no emphasis on use of bio-agents and bio-fertilizers in controlling sugarcane pest and diseases and also in cropping system of sugarcane.
7. Planting of poor quality cane seeds which are not from a definite source.
8. Adoption of un-scientific agronomic practices for sugarcane cultivation.
9. Ignorance of inter-cropping cultivation and measures to enhance soil productivity in sugarcane.

Measures to increase sugar recovery in Karnataka.

1. Introduction of sugar rich varieties of sugarcane and replacement of low sugar varieties viz., Co8011, Co91010, Co740 etc. Need to rejuvenate the CoC671 for cultivation and introduce the high yield coupled with high sugar content genotypes.
2. Optimize the age at harvest for different varieties particularly during early crushing and fag end of the crushing season.
3. Adopting staggered plantation duly backed up with the three tier cane seed nursery programmers.
4. Providing tissue culture plantlets on large scale to the cane growers through sugar mills of elite varieties.
5. Initiation of massive Cane Development and Extension activities near the vicinity of sugar mills.
6. Introducing /Improving sugarcane agro-techniques in the farmer’s field including irrigation facilities.
7. Minimizing cut to crush period by following suitable harvesting and transport schedules.
8. Plugging up of weak areas pertaining to sugar recovery and improving the extraction efficiencies in the sugar mills.

Strategies to enhance cane yield:

1. Need to introduce new varieties which can give higher cane yield and sugar recovery at a faster rate.
2. Establishment of tissue culture laboratory to supply breeder/foundation seed material to sugar mills and sugarcane growers
3. At Factory level:

• Installation of Hot air treatment units/aerated steam therapy units and adoption of three tier seed nursery programmer by utilizing tissue culture seedlings.
• Field trials/demonstrations of new varieties and conducting big mill tests.
• Continuous monitoring and up gradation of harvesters in the areas of sugar mills.
• Extensive training and campaign on seed cane and application of balance fertilizers.
• Adoption of wider-row technology and Ratoon Management.
• Computerization and use of modern tools in cane management for overall efficiency.

Methods to improve Sugar Recouvery:

1. Introduction of sugar rich varieties of sugarcane. There is a need to identify a suitable variety which can replace the rulling Co62175.
2. Adopting staggered plantation dully backed up with the three tier cane seed nurseries.
3. Providing tissue culture plantlets on large scale to the cane growers through sugar mills of elite varieties.
4. Initiation of massive Cane Development and Extension activities near the vicinity of sugar mills.
5. Introducing /improving sugarcane agro-techniques in the farmer’s field including irrigation facilities.
6. Minimizing cut to crush period by following suitable harvesting and transport schedules.
7. Plugging up of weak areas pertaining to sugar recovery and improving the extraction efficiencies in the sugar mills.